Stress Management Tips
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Try them, they work!
- Learn to Relax. Throughout the day, take 'minibreaks." Sit-down and get comfortable, slowly take a deep breath in, hold it, and then exhale very slowly. At the same time, let your shoulder muscles droop, smile, and say something positive like, "I am r-e-l-a-x-e-d." Be sure to get sufficient rest at night.
- Practice Acceptance. Many people get distressed over things they won't let themselves accept. Often, these things that can't be changed (e.g. someone else's feelings or beliefs). If something unjust bothers you, that’s different. If you act in a responsible way, the chances are you will manage stress effectively.
- Get Organized. Develop a realistic schedule of daily activities that includes time for work, sleep, relationships, and recreation. Use a daily "thing to do" list. Improve your physical surroundings by cleaning your house and straightening up your office. Use your time and energy as efficiently as possible.
- Exercise. Physical activity has always provided relief from stress. in the past, daily work was largely physical. now that physical exertion is no longer a requirement for earning a living, we don't get rid of stress so easily while working. It accumulates very quickly. We need to develop a regular exercise program to help reduce the effects of working. It accumulates very quickly. We need to develop a regular exercise program to help reduce the effects of stress before it becomes distress. Try aerobics, walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, and the like.
- Reduce Time Urgency. If you frequently check your watch or worry about what you do with your time, learn to take things a bit slower. Allow plenty of time to get things done. Plan your schedule ahead of time. Recognize that you can only do so much in a given period. Practice the notion of "pace, not race."
- Quiet Time. Balance your family, social, and work demands with special private times. Hobbies are good antidotes for daily pressures. Unwind by taking a quiet stroll, soaking in a hot bath, watching a sunset, or listening to calming music.
- Watch Your Habits. Eat sensibly - a balanced diet will provide all the necessary energy you will need during the day. Avoid nonprescription drugs and minimize your alcohol use - you need to be mentally and physically alert to deal with stress. Be mindful of the effects of excessive caffeine and sugar on nervousness. Put out the cigarettes - they restrict blood circulation and affect the stress response.
- Talk to Friends. Friends can be good medicine. Daily doses of conversation, regular social engagements, and occasional sharing of deep feelings and thoughts can reduce stress quite nicely.
Additional Tips
- Take 5 deep breaths.
- Pay attention to all the sounds you hear.
- Find you pulse and count it for on full minute.
- Stretch all your muscles, hands, arms, eyes, mouth, neck, body, legs, and feel-then relax.
- Shake your whole body all over, then relax.
- Close your eyes, rotate them in a circle, then move them up, down and sideways.
- Listen to soft music.
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds and when you release it, groan or moan loudly. Repeat 5 times.
- Give someone a hug.
- Give yourself a hug.
- Talk to friends and love ones.
- Give yourself a compliment.
- Compliment someone else.
- Tell yourself that you are good, lovable, and wonderful person loudly.
- Positive self-talk.
- Choose a positive "thought for the day" and repeat it every hour out loud.
Campus Life
- Student Development
- Campus Ministry
- Center for Career Development
- Title IX
- Counseling Center
- International Students
- Residence Life
- Student Life
- The RockCast
- Disability Resource Center
- Dean of Students
- Freshman Experience
- Health Services and Insurance
- Resources
- Care, Concern & Incident Reporting
- Dining Services
- FERPA Release Form
- First Generation Students
- Love in Action
- Health Insurance Waiver
- Immigration & DACA Information
- Immunizations
- Parking Registration
- Student Handbook
- Return to the Rock